NED-XI vs IRE-XI

Thanks a lot for joining us- Mohul Bhowmick and Maanas Upadhyay- for this interesting game in the European Cricket Championships where Netherlands XI walloped Ireland XI thanks to a massive turnaround owing to their middle-order batsmen. There is a lot of cricket going on elsewhere, so follow that as well. The Dutch first team, meanwhile, are on their way to causing an upset at the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 against South Africa. Until next time, ciao!

Netherlands XI beat Ireland XI by 4 wickets!

Seamus Lynch 44 (13) | Sam Harbinson 3-28
Sikander Zulfiqar 36 (14) | Olivier Elenbaas 2-14

Although the Netherlands XI were put under some duress by the Irish bowlers early on in the innings, they managed to come out of the hole they had dug for themselves and chase these runs down quite comfortably. 

They will feel that they have a slight edge over their opponents when it comes to head-to-head encounters given how frequently they have managed to overcome their opponents in this manner. 

Saqib Zulfiqar and Michael Levitt changed the game in the Netherlands XI's favour. They managed to ensure that the Irish could not quite pull this game towards themselves despite having had a good start in this innings. 

They picked up a lot of Dutch wickets in the early overs but were still walloped by the batting side in the end. This victory will give Netherlands XI a lot of confidence going further into the tournament.

8.3 Sam Harbinson to Roel Verhagen, SIX! AND THAT'S THE MATCH! Length ball outside off, Roel walks down the track and sends it packing over the long on region for a huge maximum to finish off the game! Was comfortable for the Dutch batter and with that, Netherlands XI seal a 4-wicket win! 

8.2 Sam Harbinson to Roel Verhagen, FOUR! SHOT! Short and on the body Roel shuffles across and swivels to pull it away for a boundary along the ground! 

8.1 Sam Harbinson to Sikander Zulfiqar, OUT! CAUGHT! Full and on the fourth stump line, Sikander looks to go big but the bat turns in his hands while playing the shot. Ends up slicing it high in the air and the long off fielder runs in to pouch it!

Sikander Zulfiqar c Carson McCullough b Sam Harbinson 36 (14b 4x4 3x6)

Sam Harbinson [1-0-18-2] is back into the attack.

Riley did manage to pick up the big wicket of Levitt but he was torn into by the new batter Kloppenberg. The Dutch are on the doorstep of victory.

7.6 Olly Riley to Teun Kloppenburg, SIX! BANG! Finishes what is an expensive over! Full and on the leg stump line, Teun shuffles across a long way and whips that away off his pads to collect another maximum over fine leg this time! 

7.5 Olly Riley to Teun Kloppenburg, a slower leg-cutter outside off bowled on length, Teun looks to slice it away but gets an inside-edge just past the stumps towards the keeper. 

7.4 Olly Riley to Teun Kloppenburg, SIX MORE! HUGE HIT! Full and on the middle stump line, Teun shuffles across this time and holds his ground to absolutely muscle it over the mid-wicket region for a huge maximum! 

7.3 Olly Riley to Teun Kloppenburg, SIX! Short and outside off, Teun makes room for himself and opens the face of the bat to upper-cut it over the third man region for a maximum! 

7.2 Olly Riley to Michael Levitt, OUT! CAUGHT! Is there a way for Ireland to still make a comeback here? Short and outside off, Levitt goes for the big pull across the line. Gets a massive top edge that flies high in the air. The deep square leg fielder runs around a long way and takes the catch inches within the boundary rope!

Michael Levitt c Tim Tector b Olly Riley 24 (11b 2x4 2x6)

7.1 Olly Riley to Michael Levitt, SIX! CLEVER! Short of a length and outside off, Levitt shuffles across and gently upper-cuts it to collect a maximum over third man! 

Olly Riley, right arm medium, is the new bowler.

The game has completely turned on its head now. The Dutch appear to be in pole position to win this game quite comfortably.

6.6 Carson McCullough to Sikander Zulfiqar, SIX! LAUNCHED! A juicy full toss on the leg stump line, Sikander dances down the track and absolutely thumps it over the long on for a huge maximum! The Dutch are timing this chase to perfection!

6.5 Carson McCullough to Sikander Zulfiqar, FOUR! SHOT! Full and on the middle stump line, Sikander shuffles across and absolutely bludgeons it straight back down the ground for a boundary! 

6.4 Carson McCullough to Michael Levitt, full and outside off, almost a yorker. Levitt misses and the keeper fails to collect it cleanly too, allowing a single.